UPS system overload delays Christmas Eve deliveries

UPS delivery man Vinny Ambrosino prepares to deliver packages on Christmas Eve while wearing a Rudolf nose and antlers in New York, on Dec. 24.

UPS dumped a load of coal in Christmas stockings across America on Wednesday, blaming bad weather and high volume for failing to deliver packages in time for the holiday.

"The volume of air packages in our system exceeded the capacity in our network as demand was much greater than the forecast," UPS spokeswoman Natalie Godwin said Tuesday in a statement. "As a result a small percentage of packages was delayed and will not be delivered today, Tuesday, Christmas Eve."

In Houston, the Amaya family has spent the last few days waiting by the door for UPS to arrive. But after 10 days and two delays, they had just about lost hope. KPRC-TV's Gianna Caserta reports.

Godwin said the company expects a majority of the packages to be delivered on the day after Christmas. It is unclear how many deliveries were affected.

Some customers took to social media to express their frustration with the carrier.

"My package has not been delivered even though I paid (dearly) for express service," Charlie Vazquez posted on the company's Facebook page.

"Beyond angry, ordered a big Christmas present and was 'GUARANTEED' to be here today. We have not left the house all day & have been nervously pacing. This was supposed to be my son's big gift. Never showed up, thanks for nothing," posted Susan Danielle Harrison.

UPS drivers were out delivering packages on Christmas Eve, but they will not be working on Christmas Day.

Godwin apologized for the delays and said the majority of the packages not delivered by Tuesday night will be delivered on Thursday. She added that the company would have additional employees at its international air hub in Louisville, Ky., on Christmas night to prep the shipments.

"We apologize to both shipping and receiving customers who may have delays," Godwin said. "While we will not have drivers delivering on Christmas we will have employees prepping packages and the planes to take off Thursday morning."